O. Henry (Henry Sydney Porter)

"The short story is once again a hot literary form and this year's edition of Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards underscores this trend."

I still remember the first time I heard "The Gift of the Magi" read. There's something about the story that comes off great when it's being told to you -- a certain timelessness, or transcendence. I don't remember if it was before or after I heard "The Ransom of Red Chief" ...